Alberto vs FG

[Eddie101]

Which is your favorite knot and why? 

[Junk Fisherman]

Both

 

I use an FG for thicker braid on baitcasters with 10-17 lb leaders.  I have never had a slippage issue or knot failure with the heavier braid like I have with 8-10 lb braid that I use on spinning reels.  I realize it is probably because I am not tying the knot perfectly but I have made enough of an effort to get the knot down. I'm done trying to tie it with spinning reels.  But I want the thinnest knot possible with the thicker braid with baitcasters and that is the FG.   

 

On spinning reels I use a doubled Alberto.  It is a thicker knot than an FG but with the light diameter lines it is still thin enough to easily go through the guides.  Plus, I can tie the Alberto much faster than an FG.   

[Eddie101]

59 minutes ago, Junk Fisherman said:

Both

 

I use an FG for thicker braid on baitcasters with 10-17 lb leaders.  I have never had a slippage issue or knot failure with the heavier braid like I have with 8-10 lb braid that I use on spinning reels.  I realize it is probably because I am not tying the knot perfectly but I have made enough of an effort to get the knot down. I'm done trying to tie it with spinning reels.  But I want the thinnest knot possible with the thicker braid with baitcasters and that is the FG.   

 

On spinning reels I use a doubled Alberto.  It is a thicker knot than an FG but with the light diameter lines it is still thin enough to easily go through the guides.  Plus, I can tie the Alberto much faster than an FG.   

Ok, what is a doubled Alberto? Do you make one extra loop before you proceed with the knot?

[Junk Fisherman]

7 minutes ago, Eddie101 said:

Ok, what is a doubled Alberto? Do you make one extra loop before you proceed with the knot?

You double the line as you make it.  Only 5 twists up and back.  Seth Feider did it on Knot Heads.  There is a Youtube video for it.  

[Cgolf]

I use the modied alberto. Like 7 wraps up and back and then 4 to 5 wraps around the braid within the loop. A little bulky but has never failed me. FG knot, sometimes even when it pulled tight properly it failed for me on the water. Also don't need 5 arms to tie the modified alberto;) Found the video and they call it the improved albright. So many names for similar or the same not.

 

 Founf 

[Eddie101]

39 minutes ago, Junk Fisherman said:

You double the line as you make it.  Only 5 twists up and back.  Seth Feider did it on Knot Heads.  There is a Youtube video for it.  

It appears to be stronger than a "regular Alberto" knot, but looks a bit bulky. I have AGS guides on my rods, and am wondering if the knot will go through the guides w/o any issue. 

21 minutes ago, cgolf said:

I use the modied alberto. Like 7 wraps up and back and then 4 to 5 wraps around the braid within the loop. A little bulky but has never failed me. FG knot, sometimes even when it pulled tight properly it failed for me on the water. Also don't need 5 arms to tie the modified alberto;) Found the video and they call it the improved albright. So many names for similar or the same not.

 

 

Another knot w/another name!! LOL  Looks great, though!

[Team9nine]

FG to start when everything is prepped at home for a trip; Alberto if I need to retie on the water...and on spinning tackle only.

[Eddie101]

1 minute ago, Team9nine said:

...and on spinning tackle only.

Hmm. Not strong enough for baitcasters?

[waymont]

Only use the FG, from 8lb Power Pro (which is super thin) to 8lb fluoro leader, and everything in between to 40lb braid and 20lb fluoro leader. I like it because I have never had a failure, and it's the thinnest knot I have found. I can tie it fast, and never have problems with it.

[Team9nine]

1 minute ago, Eddie101 said:

Hmm. Not strong enough for baitcasters?

The knots are fine regardless. I'm just not a 'braid on baitcasters' fan. I'm one of those who believes braid is only needed for a couple techniques with baitcasters, and with those techniques, it's straight braid, no leaders. YMMV

[Hook2Jaw]

FG, at the house prepping or on the kayak.   I'm a tree man by trade, knots are easy.

[Junk Fisherman]

5 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

 I'm just not a 'braid on baitcasters' fan. I'm one of those who believes braid is only needed for a couple techniques with baitcasters, and with those techniques, it's straight braid, no leaders. YMMV

I agree but I have started using more braid with leaders on jigs and plastics over the past couple years due to the FG knot being small enough to easily use with baitcasters and having such good knot strength that I trusted the knot on hooksets. It was especially useful in a tournament when I threw a football head jig all day and I wanted that extra sensitivity.  The braid helped and I think it put more fish in the boat for me.  Just a thought.  

[Team9nine]

11 minutes ago, Junk Fisherman said:

I agree but I have started using more braid with leaders on jigs and plastics over the past couple years due to the FG knot being small enough to easily use with baitcasters and having such good knot strength that I trusted the knot on hooksets. It was especially useful in a tournament when I threw a football head jig all day and I wanted that extra sensitivity.  The braid helped and I think it put more fish in the boat for me.  Just a thought.  

"Sensitivity" is overrated IMHO. More negatives than positives with braid/leader on baitcasters for me regardless of the leader knot, and I still believe it ruins newbies in the short term if they start learning/fishing with it before using nylon/copoly/FC. In the end, whatever works for an individual is what is best. For me, on baitcasters, that is predominately fluoro. On spinning, I'm a big braid/leader fan.

[waymont]

6 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

I still believe it ruins newbies in the short term if they start learning/fishing with it before using nylon/copoly/FC.

Why is that?

[ike8120]

I use the crazy alberto.

[Team9nine]

8 minutes ago, waymont said:

Why is that?

Because at least based on the posts I've seen on this forum, they can't get past the loss in sensitivity once they've tried braid first, which is a bad place to be in my opinion.

[Eddie101]

2 minutes ago, Hook2Jaw said:

FG, at the house prepping or on the kayak.   I'm a tree man by trade, knots are easy.

Well, I'm one of those guys who can't walk and chew gum at the same time. The FG knot looks pretty daunting to say the least, and I only have two hands. I'll work on a doubled Alberto knot since I can do a "regular" Alberto knot. 

[Teal]

Double unit or blood knot.  I can lay line down on my lap and do that knot blind folded...and it holds up.  

[waymont]

26 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

Because at least based on the posts I've seen on this forum, they can't get past the loss in sensitivity once they've tried braid first, which is a bad place to be in my opinion.

Interesting. I’m old, and the only real option was mono back then. I wouldn’t want to back to using it now.

[king fisher]

Hollow Braid splice, for 100# plus leaders, 30#to 100# leaders, FG.  Alberto for leaders under 30#.  Alberto if leader, and braid are close to the same diameter.  With practice, Alberto is as easy or even easier, than blood, or Uni to Uni.  FG can be tied with just your hands and no tension making it easy.  There are a couple videos showing this method.  I am not trash talking Blood or Uni knots.  I used them for years, I simply prefer the Alberto.  Not a fan of Albright, or improved Albright.  I tied my last Albright the first time I tried the Alberto.